An illustration shows insects, all the same size, shaded in two patterns. The first group of shaded insects is shown in two rows, with each row containing 5 insects. Next to these are two insects with a different shading than the first group.

Identify the ratio of plain blue bugs to the total number of bugs.

1 answer

To determine the ratio of plain blue bugs to the total number of bugs, let's first establish the total number of bugs based on the provided information.

  1. There are two rows of insects with each row containing 5 insects: \[ 2 \text{ rows} \times 5 \text{ insects per row} = 10 \text{ shaded insects} \]

  2. Additionally, there are 2 more insects with a different shading: \[ 10 \text{ shaded insects} + 2 \text{ differently shaded insects} = 12 \text{ total insects} \]

Now, since we need to identify how many of these are plain blue bugs, let's assume that all the shaded insects are not plain blue, and the two differently shaded insects are the only plain blue bugs.

This leads to the following conclusion:

  • Number of plain blue bugs = 2
  • Total number of bugs = 12

The ratio of plain blue bugs to the total number of bugs is: \[ \frac{\text{Number of plain blue bugs}}{\text{Total number of bugs}} = \frac{2}{12} = \frac{1}{6} \]

Therefore, the ratio of plain blue bugs to the total number of bugs is \( \frac{1}{6} \).